Metal coffin.



No. 667,5l7.

Pate nted Feb. 5, I901. F. M. HAMANN.

METAL COFFIN.

(Application filed May 1, 1900.1

N o M 0 d e I 3 Sheets$heet I.

Fig. 1.

Witnesses.

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Patented Feb. 5, l90l. F. M. HAMANN.

No. 667,5l7.

METAL CUFFIN.

(Application filed May 1, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

\\\\&\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ |nventor.

Attorney.

FRANK M. HAMANN, OF DUNKIRK, NEW YORK.

METAL COFFIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,517, dated February 5, 1901.

Application filed May 1, 1900. serial No. 15,122. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, FRANK M. HAMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dunkirk, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal Coffins, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a coffin formed of metal; and the object of the invention is to provide a metal coffin of simple and comparatively light construction which is hermetically sealed when inclosing a corpse.

Italso relates to certain details of construction, all of which will be fully and clearly hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved coffin. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section on or about line a a, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a horizontal longitudinal section on or about line b b, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section on or about line 0 c, Fig. 2. '7 is an enlarged detached top plan view of one of the metal locking-cups. Fig. 8 is a central vertical longitudinal section on or about line d d, Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section on or about line e (2, Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a fragment of the end of the coffin, illustrating the manner of joining the abutting ends of the side portion. Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section on or about line ff, Fig. 2. Fig. 12 is a vertical section through a fragment of one of the legs on or about line g g, Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a horizontal transverse section on or about line it h, Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is an enlarged detached side elevation of one of the locking- Fig. 15 is an end View of one of the locking-screws looking in the direction of the arrow X, Fig. 14. r

In referring to the drawings in detail like numerals designate like parts.

The body of the coffin or casket consists of a bottom part 1, which is preferably struck up from sheet metal, such as sheet-steel, with its surrounding edge bent up to form a flange 2, which constitutes a portion of the sides and ends of the coffin, an intermediate part 3, which is bent to form the upper or larger portion of the sides and ends of the casket, and a -ries of self-locking screws.

top part 4.. The bottom part is preferably provided with strengthening-ribs 5. The top is provided with an opening, preferably rectangular in shape, and a glass window6is mounted in said opening, a supplementary cover or cap 7 being provided to cover the window, as will be more specifically described farther on. The intermediate part 3 is formed so that its bottom edge alines with and rests upon the top edge of the flange 2 of the bottom part 1 and is rigidly fastened in place by an interior metal strip 8, which extends around the interior of the coffin, lapping over the joint, and is riveted or otherwise secured to the flange and the intermediate part. (See Fig. 10.) The substantially vertical joint or seam between the abutting ends of the intermediate portion is interiorly covered by a plate 9, (see Fig. 10,) which is riveted or otherwise se cured to the end. An angle-iron 10 is secured to the inner surface of the upper portion of the intermediate part 3, with its vertical portion conforming to the shape of said intermediate part and fitting closely against its surface and its horizontal portion extending inwardly. The abutting ends of the angle-iron 10 and the metal strip 8 are joined at a different point than the joint of the intermediate part to break joints, and thus strengthen the structure.

The top 4 is fastened to the inward1y-extending portion of the angle-iron 10 by a se- These screws are each preferably constructed in the novel form shown in Figs. 14 and 15, having a screwthreaded shank 11, which is divided at its lower end into four separated portions'12 by the bifurcations or slots 13, which extend transversely to or across each other. (See Fig. 15.) The upper end of the shank enlarges to form a shoulder 14:, which in turn merges in a reduced portion 15 of narrow diameter, and the reduced portion enlarges into a head 16 of square or other form adapted to receive a wrench or other operating-tool. A metal cup 17, preferably concave-convex in form, (see Figs. 7 and 8,) is fastened to the lower surface of the horizontal portion of the angleiron beneath each opening through which a locking-screw passes and has an upwardlyextending spreading pin 18. In securing parts equipped with this fastening together the screws are inserted and screwed down upon the pins substantially as shown in Fig. 11, the inner surface of the portions 12 being beveled and the top of the pins rounded so that the portions can be readily separated from each other. The screwing is continued after the shoulder 14 of each screw is brought rigidly against the outer surface of the coifin to twist the head off, and thus remove the means of rotating the screw and inwardly lock it in place and form a coffin impossible to open except by drilling or filing.

In securing the glass window in place a strip of. rubber 19 orsimilar material is lapped around the edge of the glass plate, and it is placed upon the top part over the rectangular opening, (see Fig. 11,) the glass plate being larger than the opening, so that its edge projects slightly over and rests upon the edge of the opening. An upper fastening portion 20, in the form of a rectangular-shaped endless loop, is placed upon the glass plate and bends down upon its surrounding edge, being rigidly clamped or secured to the top part by screws, rivets,or similar fasteners 21. Packing material 22, such as tarred paper, is interposed between the adjacent surfaces of the several parts to hermetically seal the coifin and render the same air-tight when the parts are all properly assembled.

A frame of wood or similar material is arranged within the cofiin to support the fabric 2 with which the coffin is lined. The frame is 1 interior joints and locking devices are concealed from view.

7 A fringed portion 25 of rich fabric may be secured at its upper edge to or near the inner edge of the horizontal portion of the angleiron to beautify the interior.

This fabric 25 can be folded over the upper edge of the coffin-body when the top part is removed, and thus give a more elegant appearance to the structure, and at the same time conceal the exterior portion of the upper row of rivets or like fasteners employed to secure the angleiron to the intermediate part 3.

The metal surface of the cofiin, both interior and exterior, is coated, enameled, or otherwise covered with a composition or paint to prevent rust or corrosion.

To elevate the bottom of the coflin above the floor of the rough box, I preferably attach an adjustable leg to each corner of the coffin. The preferred form of these legs is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 12, and 13, and consists of a rigid member having the inner surface of its middle portion 26 curved to conform to the curvature of the corners of the coffin and its sides 27 bent outward at substantially a right angle to the middle portion 26 and then oppositely to each other to form slideway portions 28 and a movable or leg member 29, which is substantially formed as shown in Fig. 13 and provided with interior recesses 30, in which the slideway portions 28 fit. The leg member is of a curved formation in cross-section, has its sides in close proximity to the cofiin, and carries a pivoted latching device 31 on each side, which is provided with an operating projection 32 at one end and a locking projection at the opposite end, which is adapted to seat in one of the notches 33 in the edge of the slideway portions 28. The latching devices are normally held in a locking position with a spring force by the springs 34 being withdrawn from said position by turning on their pivots under pressure from the fingers of the operator. The rigid member is securely fastened to the coflin-body by rivets or other fasteners 35.

If desired, the exterior of the coifin can be covered with broadcloth or other suitable material.

I claim as my invention- 1. A coffin comprising a bottom part having an upturned surrounding flange forming a portion of the sides and ends, an intermediate part bent to form the remainder of the sides and ends and arranged with the bottom edge upon the flange of the bottom part and presenting a flush exterior, an angle-iron riveted around the interior of the top of the intermediate part, a top part, a strip riveted around the interior and lapping over the joint between the flange of the bottom part and the intermediate part, and screws passing through the top part and angle-iron, as set forth.

2. A coflin comprising a bottom part having an upturned surrounding flange forming a portion of the sides and ends, an intermediate part bent to form the remainder of the sides and ends and arranged with the bottom edge upon the flange of the bottom part and presenting a flush exterior, an angle-iron extending around the interior of the top of the intermediate part, a horizontal strip extending around the interior and lapping over the joint between the flange of the bottom part and the intermediate part, a vertical strip lapping over the interior of the joint of the abutting ends of the intermediate part, means for fastening said strips to said parts, a top part having an opening, a cover for said opening, and means for interiorly locking the top part to the angle-iron, as set forth.

3. A metallic coflin formed in parts locked to each other by screws having slotted ends and cup devices fastened to the interior of the cofiin, and having means for spreading the portions of said slotted ends.

4. A metallic coffin formed in parts locked to each other by screws having slotted ends and cup devices fastened to the interior of the coffin and having pins for spreading the portions of the slotted ends.

5. A metallic coffin formed in parts locked to each other by screws; said screws having slotted ends and heads adapted to be twisted ofit" when firmly seated in place, and cups fastened to the interiorof the coffin and having pins for spreading the portions of the slotted ends, as set forth.

6. A coffin having a rigid slideway memher at each corner, and a leg member adjustably supported by said slideway member.

7. A coffin having a rigid slideway member at each corner provided with notches, and a leg member adjustably supported by said slideway member and carrying a latching device adapted to seat in said notches.

8. A coffin having a slideway portion at each corner provided with notches, a leg adjustably supported by each slideway portion, and latching devices pivotally mounted in the leg and having projections fitting in the notches.

9. A coffin having a slideway portion at each corner provided with notches, a leg adjustably supported by each slideway portion, and latching devices pivotally mounted in the leg and having projections fitting in the notches at one end and operating projections at the opposite end.

10. A coffin having slideway portions at each corner provided with notches, a leg adjustably supported by each slideway portion, latching devices pivotally mounted in the leg and having projections fitting in the notches,

and a spring for normally maintaining the latching device in locking position.

11. A coffin comprising a bottom part having an integral upturned surrounding flange forming a portion of the sides and ends, an intermediate part bent to form the remainder of the sides and ends and arranged with its bottom edge upon the flange of the bottom part and presenting a flush exterior, an angleiron extending around the interior of the top of the intermediate part, a horizontal strip extending around the interior and lapping over the joint between the flange of the bottom part and the intermediate part, a vertical strip lapping over the interior of the joint of the abutting ends of the intermediate part, a top part arranged with its edge upon the angle-iron and means for fastening said strips and parts together, substantially as set forth. 12. A coffin comprising a body having an angle-iron riveted to the interior of its top with the horizontal portion of said angle-iron projecting inwardly, a top supported upon the inwardly-extending portions of the angleiron and fastening devices passed through the top and the inwardly-extending horizontal portion of the angle-iron, whereby the angle-iron strengthens the structure, forms a support for the top and a means of attachment for the fastening devices, as set forth.

FRANK M. HAMANN.

Witnesses:

L. M. BILLINGS, G. A. N EUBAUER. 

